Mobile track correction apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a mobile track grading or lining machine, the track correction assembly, which moves the track into a corrected position determined by a reference system means which indicates the actual and desired track positions, the track correction assembly is mounted forwardly of the reference system means at a variable distance therefrom, the assembly and/or the reference system means being mounted for movement in the direction of track elongation.

United States Patent Inventors Franz Plasser;

Josef Theurer, Johannesgasse 3, Vienna, Austria Appl. No. 776,008 Filed Nov. 15, 1968 Patented Jan. 19, 1971 Priority Nov. 23, 1967 Austria No. A106l4/67 MOBILE TRACK CORRECTION APPARATUS 24 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

11.5. C1. 104/7 Int. Cl. E01b 33/06 Field of Search 104/ 7; 7B. 8, 12

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,170,410 2/1965 Christoff 104/8 3,176,625 4/1965 Plasser et a1 104/8 3,380,394 4/1968 Fornerod 104/8 3,401,642 9/ 1 968 Fisher 104/8 Primary ExaminerArthur L. LaPoint Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch AIt0rney-Kurt Kelman ABSTRACT: In a mobile track grading or lining machine, the track correction assembly, which moves the track into a corrected position determined by a reference system means which indicates the actual and desired track pOSitiOrlS, the track correction assembly is mounted forwardly of the reference system means at a variable distance therefrom, the assembly and/or the reference system means being mounted for movement in the direction of track elongation.

MoslLsraAcKcoRascTtoN APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY earns INVENTION 1 The present invention r el'ates rd a mobile apparatus for correcting the lateral or vertical position of a track, and is particularly adapted to mobile track liners which continuously and without stopping line a track section wherealong the apa In operating such apparatus, various track conditions may impair the accuracy of the correction and/or prolong the time needed to effectuate the same. For instance, the track has a tendency to spring'back after it has been moved to the corrected position, due to" its inherent resiliency and inertia. While the track has assumed a more correct position than it had originally even after such a spring back, it has not been accurately corrected. We have, therefore, proposed in our copending application Ser. No. 743,478, filed Jul. 9, 1968, to overcompensatefor this spring back and to move the track firstbeyond the point of the desired position to permit it to spring back thereto. While this method has proven successful with track correction apparatus wherein correction is effected intermittently, as the apparatus advances from tie to'tie, it is, of course, rather time consuming. With more recently developed nonstop track liners, this method is not so useful because the overcornpensation in the lateral track movement and the time required to permit spring back at each point takes too much time.

It is accordingly theprimary object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage and to effectuate the correcting movement of the track at a point forwardly spaced from that point of the track'where the actual position of the track is indicated and the corrected positionof thetrack isdetermined in relation thereto.

The distance between the track correction assembly and the referencesystem means at the latter point is so selected that the forwardly arranged track correction assembly already the track correction assembly works always at a track point whose position is promptly measured and indicated by the succeeding reference system means as the apparatus advances along the track elongatiomThis track correction work ahead of the track position measurement and indication produces very rapidas well as very accurate trackgpositioning.

As the apparatus advances along thetrack, the forwardly arranged track correction" assembly not only senses the track position but also its response to forceful movement in a horizontal-and/or vertical plane before such an assembly would sense this position and response if it were conventionally arrangedat the same point-,where the trackposition is measured andaindicated. Since the forward spacing of the track correction'assembly in respect of thereference system means, which measures and indicates the actual and-corrected 7 track positions, may. be varied in response to the condition and Accordingly, in accordance with this invention, the track correction assembly'is mounted forwardly of the reference system means, in the working direction of the apparatus, and at a variable distance therefrom.

This distance may be varied according to the invention in a variety of ways, for instance by mounting the track correction assembly for movement in respect of the reference system means, either manually or automatically. Alternatively, the reference system means may be mounted for movement in respect of the track correction assembly. Preferably, the track correction assembly and the reference system means are movably mounted on a mobile frame'of the apparatus for adjustment of the spacing therebetween.

In a nonstop track liner, it is advantageous if the spacing may be adjusted during the continuous advance of the liner by remote control or automatically in response to control signals.

If desired, adjustable stops, markers and the like may be provided to limit and/or indicate the variations in the spacing between the track correction assembly and the reference system means.

An automatic change in this spacing may be effectuated in response to the size of a respective error signal generated by the reference system to indicate the difference between the desired and the actual position of the track, or in response to a signal generated by an instrument provided to determine the amount of spring back of the track in a given track section BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a track liner embodying this invention, the arrows indicating the reversible working directions of the liner;

FIG. 2 is a top view along lines lI-ll ofFlG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a similar top view of a modified track liner;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section along lines lV-lV of FIG. 1, illustrating the track correction assembly of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the track correction assembly, taken in the direction of arrow V of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The mobile track liner illustrated herein is generally conventional and comprises a frame I resting on running gears 2 and 3 whose wheels are mounted for mobility on track 4. The illustrated track correction assembly is constituted by track shifting means 5 mounted laterally movably intermediate the running gears. In accordance with the present invention, the track shifting means is mounted on frame 1 for movement in the direction of track elongation.

A conventional reference system is provided for determining the lining of track 4 by laterally moving the track shifting means 5, which engages and holds the track for movement therewith, to respective points determined by the reference. system. In' the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the'reference system includes a long reference line 6 and two short reference lines 7, 7'. Only one of thetwo short reference lines is used at any one time, line 7 being used when the liner moves in the direction of the arrow shown in full line, while line 7' is used when the liner moves in the 'opposite direction indicated by the arrow .in broken lines, thus making the track liner useable in both working directions without turning it around.

The long reference line 6 extendsbetween-bogies 8 and 10 which are held at a fixed distance from frame 1 to constitute front and rear stations of the reference system, and intermediate point of the long reference line being attached to bogie or axlell, which constitutes a reference system means in contact with the track indicating the actual and desired track positions. a

The short reference lines 7. and 7' extend from the intermediate station 11 respectively to bogie 10 and 8. in either working direction, only the rear short reference line is used.

The bogie ll has elements 12 which are arranged thereon for flush engagement with one or the other rail of track 4 so that the rail engaging element may accurately determine the actual position of the track for comparison with the desired position of the track by means of the reference system in a manner well known per se. in the illustrated embodiments, these elements 12 are flanged wheels which are pressed against the selected reference rail of the track by pneumatic or hydraulic means to obtain an accurate basis for the lining operation. .Iack shoes may be used for this purpose, for instance, such as shown in our US. Pat. No. 3,334,592.

Bogies 8 and 10, as well as the intermediate measuring bogies 9 and 9', carry similar flanged wheels l3, l5, l4 and 14' arranged to be pressed into engagement with the reference rail of the track during the track correction operation. a common drive preferably being provided to press the flanged wheels of all bogies into flush engagement with the selected reference rail.

The two-chord reference system of FIGS. 1 and 2 operates generally along the lines described and illustrated in our US. Pat. No. 3,3l4,373, for instance. In this system, a threaded rotatable shaft 16 having two sections of different pitch is mounted on bogie 9 (and 9') transversely of the track elongation. An indicating element 17 carrying a pair of electrical contacts is mounted on one of the shaft sections, with the long reference line passing between the contacts so that a signal will be produced when the long reference line touches either one of the contacts whereby the position of the long reference line is indicated at all times. A nut carrying a rotary potentiometer 18 is mounted on the other shaft section and is associated with the short reference line 7 (or 7'). The determination of the shaft pitch ratios and other operating characteristics of this system are fully explained in US. Pat. No. 3,3 l4,373, this system making it possible at all times to read, record or indicate any deviation of the short reference line from the desired position in respect of a zero position of the long reference line between the contacts of indicating element 17.

The position of the potentiometer I8 is determined by the path of the short reference line which always indicates the actual position of the track at intermediate station 11 to which the forward end of the short reference line is anchored. The rotary potentiometer 18 is so adjusted that it indicates a zero position when the path of the short reference line in respect to the path of the long reference line corresponds to the desired track position. Otherwise, the potentiometer indicates local deviations and produces a corresponding error signal which is used to move the track shifting means and thus to correct the track position in response to such error signal. The intermediate station 11 will be moved with the corrected track. thus also moving the forward end of the short reference line which is anchored thereto.

According to the invention. the track correction assembly is moved on the frame forwardly of the intermediate station 11 so that the track is laterally moved at an adjustable point ahead of the point at which the correct track alignment is determined. The full-line position of the track shifting means 5 indicates the position when the liner moves in the direction of the arrow shown in full lines while the broken-line position of this means shows the position thereof when the liner movement is reversed.

In the modified track liner of FIG. 3, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts operating in a like manner, the reference system uses only a single reference line 19 extending between front and rear bogies 20 and 21, and passing over measuring bogie 22 (or 22' when used in the reverse working direction). As in the first-described embodiment, the reference line may be a tensioned wire, cord or like flexible elongated element. This elongated flexible element has one end anchored to a winch 23 on front bogie 20 while its other end is tensioned by a spring 24 on rear bogie 21 to obtain a straight reference line. The front and rear bogies run on flanged wheels, the wheel on one axle being pressed against a selected reference rail, as described hereinabove in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The bogies are held at a selected, adjustable distance from frame I of the track line by means of telescoping coupling rods 25, 25 whose length may be hydraulically adjusted, if desired.

The end portions of the tensioned reference element 19 are clamped in mounts 23" and 24" on the front and rear bogies, which mounts are arranged in the same vertical plane as the axle of the respective bogie which is pressed against the selected reference rail. Alternative mounts 23 and 24' are provided above the other axle of the respective bogie if the latter is used for a reference.

Further adjustability of the reference system is provided by mounting the measuring bogie 26 at the intermediate station of the reference system for movement in respect of frame 1. This intermediate station is arranged in the range of the center point between front and rear stations 20 and 21. Bogie 26 carries potentiometer 28 which indicates the position, ie the distance from the reference rail, of the reference line 19 in respect of the reference rail. This is accomplished by connecting the reference line 19 to an endless cable of a pulley drive which includes a driving pulley and a freely rotating pulley of the rotary potentiometer 28 so that the movement of the endless cable in response to a movement of the reference line attached thereto adjusts the potentiometer position and produces a corresponding control signal.

The bogie 26 is connected to the piston rods of a pair of hydraulic motors 27 affixed to track liner frame 1 to enable the bogies position to be adjusted in respect of the frame in the direction of track elongation, as shown in the three indicated positions in full and broken lines.

An additional bogie 22 (or 22') is arranged between the measuring bogie 26 and the rear bogie, a like rotary potentiometer 29 (or 29') being mounted on this additional bogie to indicate any changes in position of the reference line in respect of the reference rail at this additional station. Bogie 22 with potentiometer 29 is used when the liner operates to the left (as shown in the drawing) while bogie 22 with potentiometer 29 is used when the liner operates to the right.

In FIG. 3, the reference system has been moved to an end position to the right, as seen in the drawing in full lines. Depending on the position of the reference system in relation to the frame, the position of the rotary potentiometer 29 (or 29') may be adjusted on its bogie so that the spacing between all stations of the reference system may be maintained. As will be noted, the potentiometer is mounted on a central guide rail so that it may be moved into positions above respective axles of the bogie. The track shifting means are always so positioned that they are at a selected distance ahead of intermediate station 26, in the working direction.

The lining method practiced by the apparatus of FIG. 3 is more fully described in German Pat. No. 1,217,423. Operating to the left, as indicated by the arrow in full lines, the ordinate of the reference line 19, which constitutes a chord within the previously lined track section are, is measured by potentiometer 29. This signal is used to determine the desired ordinate of the reference line at the intermediate station 26 which carries elements indicating the actual position of the track at this point. A resultant error signal is then used to move the track 4 by means of the forwardly positioned track shifting means 5 transversely to the track elongation until the actual ordinate at station 26 is equal to the desired ordinate, as measured by potentiometer 28.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, selected rail engaging elements on all the bogies are pressed into flush engagement with a selected reference rail so as to establish an accurate reference basis for the system.

In all the illustrated embodiments, the track correction assembly consists of pairs of double flanged rollers, each pair of rollers gripping one of the track rails between the roller flanges. Upon lateral movement of the rail gripping rollers, the track is pressed in the direction of this lateral movement. This lateral track movement may be facilitated by vibrating the assembly during movement. ln the embodiment of FIG. 3 this Vibration may be effected by individual vibrators 30 mounted on an outward extension of the axle carrying each roller.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred track'correction assembly with: a single vibrator, means -31 driven by motor 32 mounted centrally between the hydraulic motors 33, 33 whose cylinders are linked to the vibrator means and whose piston roads are linked to the supports for the double flanged rail gripping rollers. The rail gripping rollers are laterally movable singly or in unison by operation of hydraulic motors 33, 33. Furthermore, the rollers are also vertically adjustable out of engagement with the rails, as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 5, by means of hydraulic motors 34, 34 linked respectively to common support 35 and the roller supports 5' pivotally mounted on the common support at 5" The common roller supports 35 of the respective pairs of rail gripping rollers are themselves pivotally mounted at 36 on a bracket arranged on carrier 37 so that theentire assembly. may be pivoted laterally outwardly in respect of the track.

FIGS. 4 and 5 also show the ties 4' on which the track 4 rests. I a

The entire assembly with its carrier 37 is movably mounted on track liner frame 1 by rollers 38 which guide the assembly for movement in the direction of track elongation on the frame. The rollers 38 have drives 39 to adjust the distance of the track correction assembly in respect to the intermediate station 11 or 26 of the reference system. If desired, stops or markers may be installed to limit or visibly indicate adjusted positions of the assembly in respect of the reference system.

As in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bogie ll of the reference system, whose double flanged rollers 12 serve to indicate the actual track position at this intermediate station, is mounted on arms 40 pivoted to track linerframe 1 so that the bogie may be lifted into an inoperative position by hydraulic motor 42 act ing on each arm. Theassembly 5 may be moved past the bogie 11 for operation of the liner in opposite directions by pivoting its working parts upwardly and outwardly in the above-indicated manner.

The relative movement of the track correction assembly and the associated intermediate station of the reference system and the adjustment of their relative distance from each other may be manually controlled. However, it may also be automatically controlled either in response to the magnitude of the error signal, i.e. the difference between the actual and desired position of the track, or in response to the local condition of the track, i.e. the spring back of the track after it has been repositioned. In the latter case, it is advisable to provide an instrument which indicates the springback of the rails, which experience indicates to remain constant within extended track sections, the optimum distance between track correction assembly and the associated intermediate station of the reference system being determined by the reading of this instrument.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, it will beuseful to provide adjusta ble stops or markers 43 to delimit or indicate the adjustment of the position of the track shifting means in respect of the reference system indicating means 12.

Also, while a motor 39 has been shown to drive the track track elongation of the track correction assembly and the 10 reference system which includes a'station where the actual position of the track is measured and indicated. In this respect, it is immaterial whether the track correction assembly or the reference system is movable in respect of the mobile frame of the apparatus, both being preferably mounted for such movement to obtain an optimum distance therebetween. Particularly in nonstop track liners, it is important that such adjustments may be made automatically or manually while the liner continuously advances along the track during the lining operation.

We claim:

1. A mobile system for correcting the position of a track, which system advances along the track in a working direction and comprises a track correction assembly arranged at a track correction station to move the track to a corrected position, and a reference controlling the track correction, the reference including track surveying means in contact with the track for indicating the actual track position and the corrected track position assumed upon movement of the track by the track correction assembly at a track surveying station rearwardly of the track correction station, in said working direction, the distance between the track correction assembly and the track surveying means being variable.

2. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly consisting of means for laterally shifting the track for lining the track.

3. in the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly being mounted for movement in respect of the track surveying means.

4. ln the mobile system of claim 1, the track surveying means being mounted for movement in respect of the track correction assembly.

5, in the mobile system of claim 4, a mobile frame carrying the track correction assembly and the track surveying means, the reference including a reference line operatively associated with said means, a forward and a rear station to which respective ends of the reference line are anchored, and means for holding the forward and rear stations at adjustable distances fromthe mobile frame.

6. In the mobile system of claim 5, a plurality of means for anchoring the respective reference line ends to each of the forward and rear stations, said means being spaced on each station in the direction of track elongation and being selectively usable to anchor the reference line ends to said stations.

7. In the mobile system of claim 1, the variable distance between the track correction assembly and the track surveying means being adjustable during the advance of the system along the track.

8. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly and the track surveying means being so mounted for movement in respect of each other that the track correction assembly may selectively assume the forward position in respect of the track surveying means in opposite working directions of the system.

9. In the mobile system of claim 1, a mobile frame carrying the track surveying means in the range of the center point of the frame.

10. in the mobile system of claim 1, a mobile frame carrying the correction assembly, the assembly being mounted on a carrier mounted for movement on the frame in the direction of the track elongation.

11. ln the mobile system of claim 10, the track correction assembly including track gripping means and said means being pivotally mounted on the carrier to enable the same to be pivoted into positions permitting the assembly carrier to be moved past the track surveying means so that the assembly may selectively assume the forward position in respect of the track surveying means in opposite working directions of the 5 system.

12. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly including rail gripping means glidingly or rollingly engaging the rail or rails to permit continuous advance of the system while the rail or rails are engaged for correction of the track position.

13. in the mobile system of claim 1, means for vibrating the track correction assembly.

14. in the mobile system of claim 13, wherein said vibrating means is mounted in association with, and for vibrating, drive means for the track correction assembly.

15. In the mobile system of claim 14, wherein the track correction assembly includes two rail gripping means arranged for engaging a respective one of the track rails, two motors for laterally moving a respective one of the rail gripping means, and said vibrating means being mounted centrally of said motors for vibrating the same.

16. In the mobile system ofclaim 13, wherein the track correction assembly includes two rail gripping means arranged for engaging a respective one of the track rails, each rail gripping means including a pair of rail gripping rollers mounted on respective axles, each of said axles having a laterally projecting extension, and said vibrating means being mounted on each axle extension for individually vibrating said rollers.

17. In the mobile system of claim 1, the reference including a forward and a rear station, and the track surveying station intermediate thereof, a bogie at each station. a reference line. means on each of said bogies for anchoring the reference line thereto, and means on at least one of said bogies for moving the anchoring means in the direction of the track.

18. in the mobile system ofclaim l. the track correction assembly being mounted for movement in respect of the track surveying means, and manually controlled means being provided for moving the track correction assembly.

19. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly being mounted for movement in respect of the track surveying means, and automatically controlled means for moving the track correction assembly.

20. In the mobile system ofclaim 19, the automatically controlled means being responsive to the indicated error in the track position.

21. in the mobile system ofclaim 19, the automatically controlled means being responsive to the extent of the spring back of the track.

22. in the mobile system ofclaim 21, an instrument for measuring the extent of the track spring back.

23. in the mobile system of claim 3, adjustable stop means for delimiting the movement of the track correction assembly in respect of the track surveying means.

24. in the mobile system of claim 3, marking means for indicating the movement of the track correction assembly in respect of the track surveying means. 

1. A mobile system for correcting the position of a track, which system advances along the track in a working direction and comprises a track correction assembly arranged at a track correction station to move the track to a corrected position, and a reference controlling the track correction, the reference including track surveying means in contact with the track for indicating the actual track position and the corrected track position assumed upon movement of the track by the track correction assembly at a track surveying station rearwardly of the track correction station, in said working direction, the distance between the track correction assembly and the track surveying means being variable.
 2. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly consisting of means for laterally shifting the track for lining the track.
 3. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly being mounted for movement in respect of the track surveying means.
 4. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track surveying means being mounted for movement in respect of the track correction assembly.
 5. In the mobile system of claim 4, a mobile frame carrying the track correction assembly and the track surveying means, the reference including a reference line operatively associated with said means, a forward and a rear station to which respective ends of the reference line are anchored, and means for holding the forward and rear stations at adjustable distances from the mobile frame.
 6. In the mobile system of claim 5, a plurality of means for anchoring the respective rEference line ends to each of the forward and rear stations, said means being spaced on each station in the direction of track elongation and being selectively usable to anchor the reference line ends to said stations.
 7. In the mobile system of claim 1, the variable distance between the track correction assembly and the track surveying means being adjustable during the advance of the system along the track.
 8. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly and the track surveying means being so mounted for movement in respect of each other that the track correction assembly may selectively assume the forward position in respect of the track surveying means in opposite working directions of the system.
 9. In the mobile system of claim 1, a mobile frame carrying the track surveying means in the range of the center point of the frame.
 10. In the mobile system of claim 1, a mobile frame carrying the correction assembly, the assembly being mounted on a carrier mounted for movement on the frame in the direction of the track elongation.
 11. In the mobile system of claim 10, the track correction assembly including track gripping means and said means being pivotally mounted on the carrier to enable the same to be pivoted into positions permitting the assembly carrier to be moved past the track surveying means so that the assembly may selectively assume the forward position in respect of the track surveying means in opposite working directions of the system.
 12. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly including rail gripping means glidingly or rollingly engaging the rail or rails to permit continuous advance of the system while the rail or rails are engaged for correction of the track position.
 13. In the mobile system of claim 1, means for vibrating the track correction assembly.
 14. In the mobile system of claim 13, wherein said vibrating means is mounted in association with, and for vibrating, drive means for the track correction assembly.
 15. In the mobile system of claim 14, wherein the track correction assembly includes two rail gripping means arranged for engaging a respective one of the track rails, two motors for laterally moving a respective one of the rail gripping means, and said vibrating means being mounted centrally of said motors for vibrating the same.
 16. In the mobile system of claim 13, wherein the track correction assembly includes two rail gripping means arranged for engaging a respective one of the track rails, each rail gripping means including a pair of rail gripping rollers mounted on respective axles, each of said axles having a laterally projecting extension, and said vibrating means being mounted on each axle extension for individually vibrating said rollers.
 17. In the mobile system of claim 1, the reference including a forward and a rear station, and the track surveying station intermediate thereof, a bogie at each station, a reference line, means on each of said bogies for anchoring the reference line thereto, and means on at least one of said bogies for moving the anchoring means in the direction of the track.
 18. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly being mounted for movement in respect of the track surveying means, and manually controlled means being provided for moving the track correction assembly.
 19. In the mobile system of claim 1, the track correction assembly being mounted for movement in respect of the track surveying means, and automatically controlled means for moving the track correction assembly.
 20. In the mobile system of claim 19, the automatically controlled means being responsive to the indicated error in the track position.
 21. In the mobile system of claim 19, the automatically controlled means being responsive to the extent of the spring back of the track.
 22. In the mobile system of claim 21, an instrument for measuring the extent of the track spring back.
 23. In the mobile system of claim 3, adjustable stop means for delImiting the movement of the track correction assembly in respect of the track surveying means.
 24. In the mobile system of claim 3, marking means for indicating the movement of the track correction assembly in respect of the track surveying means. 